COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce freshman Michelle Kotlik scored her first career goal just 35 seconds into overtime to give the Lions a 2-1 win over the St. Edward's Hilltoppers on Sunday afternoon at Lion Soccer Field.
 
The Lions had not defeated the Hilltoppers since 2008 and had been held scoreless five consecutive meetings until the win Sunday.
 
"It was a good team win today," said Lion head soccer coach Neil Piper. "We haven't struggled against St. Edward's – I feel like we've always given them a good game - but we haven't gotten the breaks against them.
 
"Today I thought we came in the first 25 to 30 minutes and played hard. I thought we could have gotten a couple of goals before they threw an attack. We got the goal on the corner kick and settled down. They took it to us in the second half, and we survived, then we scored a nice goal in overtime. Sometimes you work hard and get the breaks, sometimes you don't and today we did."
 
A&M-Commerce is now 2-2-0 on the season, while St. Edward's falls to 2-1-0 on the year. The Lions host Harding at 7 p.m. Friday.
 
The Lions ended their scoreless slump against the Hilltoppers in the 23rd minute, when Vicky Back headed in a Kotlik corner kick. The outswinging ball was pushed to the back post for the senior's third goal of the season.
 
Goalkeeper Caitlin Duty kept the Lions in the game with several diving saves, turning nine SEU shots away during the match.
 
The Hilltoppers tied the match up in the 51st minute on a Jennifer Boudreau goal, but Duty saved three shots down the stretch to help force the match into extra time.
 
The Lions wasted no time putting an end to the golden goal period. A&M-Commerce earned a throw-in down the left side and a low cross from Sophie Haywood found the center of the penalty area, where Kotlik slammed it home to give the Lions the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The impressive Kotlik has had her hand in the Lions' last five goals, with assists on four and the game-winner against SEU.
- St. Edward's outshot the Lions 14-7, with 10 Hilltopper shots on target and only three on goal for A&M-Commerce.
- Duty's nine saves are the most by any goalkeeper in the Lone Star Conference so far this season.